Former Manchester United star Antonio Valencia is set for a surprising return to football The icon is returning years after retiring from the professional game. Once playing in front of tens of thousands at Old Trafford, the Ecuadorian right-back will now feature in a much smaller setting. Valencia has signed for Wythenshawe Veterans FC. The club is a local team in England, marking his first competitive appearance since hanging up his boots in 2021.Notably, Valencia enjoyed a successful career at the highest level of the sport. He was a key figure for Manchester United for a decade. With the Red Devils, he won titles like Premier League and Europa League. Now, he returns not for fame or money, but purely for passion. His signing shows a trend of former stars playing grassroots football for enjoyment.
Antonio Valencia joins star-studded veterans squad
Antonio Valencia’s arrival at Wythenshawe Veterans FC adds even more quality to a team already filled with former top-level players. The club competes in the Cheshire Veterans Football League and has quietly built an impressive squad. Players like Papiss Cisse, Emile Heskey, Joleon Lescott, and Stephen Ireland have all featured this season.Together, the squad boasts over 2,000 Premier League appearances and hundreds of international caps. Despite their laurels, no players ask for salary. They play simply for the love of football. They play to enjoy the game again in a relaxed environment. The club provides basic facilities. This includes food after matches and a place to watch games together.Interestingly, there was even a mix-up when the chairman’s wife unknowingly sent standard membership requests asking players to pay a small monthly fee. The club later clarified that while they do not pay the players, they also do not expect former Premier League stars to pay to play.The main rule for joining the veterans team is simple: players must be aged 35 or above. This has created a unique environment where experienced footballers can compete again in an organised league. The idea to bring in such big names reportedly started when Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha joined through personal connections.Valencia enjoyed a decorated career at Manchester United after joining from Wigan Athletic in 2009. He made over 300 appearances and won multiple trophies, including two Premier League titles and the Europa League. After leaving United in 2019, he played briefly in Ecuador and Mexico before retiring in 2021.